Flail Mower Ford flail mowers- any good?

[dntfxr]

Hi guys, in my search for a 6' rotary cutter I ran across an older 6' Ford flail mower. The pic looks alright, a little weathered. The owner said he replaced the bearings and it doesn't have the right belt on it and it slips. The pulley is about 1 1/2" wide but he has a little narrow belt on it. I figure I can replace the blades if needed and paint it up, for 250$ it still seems kinda cheap. Are parts and belts readily available for these mowers? Any opinions on this brand flail? BTW, please no flail vs rotary here, I plan on getting a new rotary eventually too but I figure in the meantime I can try a flail.
Thanks for any info!

 

[Degolyerent]

You can get parts from your local New Holland dealer, I have a older model Ford flail also that needs a little work and I have been looking around a little bit for parts I am going to go on the Internet also and see about other sources.

 

[RickB]

The later 917H model isn't nearly as durable as other, earlier Ford flails. The very old 907 is having some parts availability concerns. Any proprietary parts for Ford flail mowers are expensive, but just about any proprietary equipment part is these days. Common aftermarket parts are plentiful and more affordable.

 

[dntfxr]

Thanks guys I may be too late on this one, I think someone beat me to it.

 

[2458n]

I have an old Ford flail mower. Just put the model no. in and Google it. Learned that the pulleys were Metric; as well as the belts. Think long -Think wrong. The next time you will know. Some of my best deals are also ones I did not buy.